Bulk Emulsion Explosives

Velocity of Detonation 13,000 ft/s (4000 m/s) to over 19,000 ft/s (5800 m/s)
Bulk Density 1.07 to 1.31 g/cc
Relative Bulk Strength 126 187 (ANFO = 100)
Water Resistance:
Excellent (Emulsion/ANFO 100/0, 70/30. 60/40)
Good (Emulsion/ANFO 40/60, 35/65)
Poor (Emulsion/ANFO 25/75, 20/80, 10/90)
Shelf Life 1 Year No Crystallizing or segregation
Temperature Ranges -20C to over +50C
Explosion Temperature 2,200 to 3,700C
Heat at Constant Volume 3 to 5 MJ/kg
Specific Energy 800 to 1,200 kJ/kg
Specific Pressure 8,500 to over 11,000 atm/kg.

Benefits
Produce various emulsion formulations for customized performance
Full borehole coupling optimizes transfer of energy from the explosive into the rock

High energy formulation for consistent performance in both wet and dry conditions
Excellent sensitivity and pre-compression resistance
Increased productivity through enhanced performance
Optimized blasting performance and reduced secondary blasting to reduce costs

Emulsion Explosives Technical Overview

An emulsion is made up of a mixture of two liquids that do not normally mix with one
another, as one liquid is oil-based, and the other liquid is water-based. When the
appropriate emulsifier is present and enough mechanical energy is exerted, the two
phases can be forced to blend together. Emulsion explosives are, therefore, prepared
in the form of water-in-oil emulsions. The internal phase is composed of a solution of
oxidizer salt suspended as microscopically fine droplets, which are surrounded by a
continuous fuel phase. An emulsifying agent stabilizes the emulsion thus formed
against liquid separation. Since each microcell of the oxidizer is coated with an oily
exterior, the emulsion has excellent water resistance and does not rely on a pack-age
for their ability to function efficiently in water. A bulking agent such as ultra fine air
bubbles or glass microspheres may be then dispersed throughout the basic emulsion
matrix, which provides for density control and sensitivity. What makes a water-in-oil

emulsion particularly effi-cient is that the major component by weight is mixed into
the minor component. This not only results in a finely dispersed, homogenous
mixture, but one in which the oil phases constitutes the outside or continuous phase.
It is this feature that imparts excellent water resistance to emulsion type explosives.

Emulsion Explosives Technical Overview

An emulsion is made up of a mixture of two liquids that do not normally mix with one
another, as one liquid is oil-based, and the other liquid is water-based. When the
appropriate emulsifier is present and enough mechanical energy is exerted, the two
phases can be forced to blend together. Emulsion explosives are, therefore, prepared
in the form of water-in-oil emulsions. The internal phase is composed of a solution of
oxidizer salt suspended as microscopically fine droplets, which are surrounded by a
continuous fuel phase. An emulsifying agent stabilizes the emulsion thus formed
against liquid separation. Since each microcell of the oxidizer is coated with an oily
exterior, the emulsion has excellent water resistance and does not rely on a pack-age
for their ability to function efficiently in water. A bulking agent such as ultra fine air
bubbles or glass microspheres may be then dispersed throughout the basic emulsion
matrix, which provides for density control and sensitivity. What makes a water-in-oil
emulsion particularly effi-cient is that the major component by weight is mixed into
the minor component. This not only results in a finely dispersed, homogenous
mixture, but one in which the oil phases constitutes the outside or continuous phase.
It is this feature that imparts excellent water resistance to emulsion type explosives.